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After six years of neglect, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation is reviving its national photography contest for amateur and professionals photographers. This time, there are bigger prizes.
The theme of the PAGCOR Photography Contest 2023 is “Sa’n Tayo Next?”. It aims to showcase the unadulterated and equally beautiful areas in the Philippines that have potential for tourism.
Officially, the contest for photography will begin on February 15, 2023.
Carmelita Valdez, Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications at PAGCOR, stated that the state-run gambling agency will again offer both novice and seasoned lensesmen the chance to show off the beauty of the Philippines. She also said they would be giving out generous cash prizes.
“We will give away cash prizes totaling P1.6 million to the grand finalists and winners, so we hope to encourage participants from previous competitions in photography as well as those who are looking for a medium to display the images they have captured with their latest mobile devices and cameras. She said that the event aims to honor the talents of Filipino lensmen and inspire more tourists from around the world to visit some of the lesser-known destinations in the Philippines.
Valdez explained that the competition’s topic, “Sa’n Tayo Next?” is the question tourists and travelers would ask one another after experiencing an incredible experience in a new place.
“The thrill of traveling inspires people to immediately start planning for their next trip. She added that she hoped that the photo contest would help to boost the tourism sector, which is currently recovering from the effects of the pandemic.
PAGCOR’s Photography Contest 2023 has two categories: Conventional Category (photos taken with all types traditional or conventional cameras such as Single Lens Reflex or Digital SLR) and Mobile Category. These photos can be taken using any type of app on all types mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets and drone-mounted cameras, and action cameras.
The deadline for entries is July 31, 2023. The contest is open to anyone aged 18 and over. Participants can submit as many entries as they wish in one category, or as few entries as possible for each category.
The 12 grand winners in the conventional category will each be awarded P80,000. Meanwhile, the 12 grand winners in the mobile category will each take home P35,000.
Consolation prizes will be awarded to the 16 grand finalists who did not win (P25,000 for the traditional category and P10,000 for mobile). Special cash prizes of P10,000 will be given to the “Most Popular Photo” category.
The agency’s nationwide photography contest will be held for the fifth time. PAGCOR started its photo contest in 2013